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Ajuga
Three species of Ajuga are particularly useful to
gardeners in South Carolina. These species grow in
any reasonably well drained soil and although
tolerant of full sun, growth is more rapid in partial
shade.
Plant these perennials in spring or early fall 6 to 12
inches apart. Mow or trim away old flower spikes.
plants" can be dug from established plantings and
replanted elsewhere.
Geneva carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga genevensis):
This is a perennial rock garden plant, 5 to 14 inches
high. It does not spread by runners, and has grayish,
hairy stems and coarse-toothed leaves to 3 inches
long. The 2-inch tall flower spikes are usually blue,
but rose and white forms are also sold. This upright
species is becoming more popular because it
spreads less vigorously than A. reptans. It tolerates
more sun than other Ajuga species.
Upright Bugleweed (Ajuga pyramidalis): This is
an erect plant, 2 to 10 inches high. It does not
spread by runners. Stems, with long grayish hairs,
have many roundish, 1½ to 4-inch long leaves. The
flower spikes are 4 to 6 inches long and the large
purple bracts appear to press against the blue
flowers.
Growth Rate
Ajuga repens (bugleweed) in bloom.
Joey Williamson, ©2011 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Ajuga Species
Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans): This is a very
popular ground cover. It spreads quickly by runners,
making a mat of dark green leaves that grow 2 to 3
inches wide in full sun and 3 to 4 inches wide in
part shade. Selections with bronze- or metallictinted leaves keep color best in full sun. The
flowers, usually blue, are borne on 4 to 5 inch high
spikes. The plant flowers in early May to mid-June.
If established plants are set apart in the spring, they
will cover the soil in one growing season. Do not
set the plants too deep. The crown should never be
covered. In the spring or early fall, rooted "runner
Carpet bugleweed grows rapidly by producing mats
of foliage in rosettes. "Runners" develop from the "
mother" plants, take root and produce new plants
similar to the growth habit of strawberries. Plant
this perennial where its invasive qualities are
welcome, such as on a bank or under trees. Do not
plant it as an edging to the lawn or small islands of
green foliage will soon appear in your lawn.
Cultivars of Carpet Bugleweed
Selections for Flower Color:
• var. alba has creamy white flowers.
• 'Catlin's Giant' has tall (up to 8 inch long)
spikes of blue flowers and bronze-green
foliage.
• 'Pink Beauty' bears 4 to 5 inch long spikes of
deep pink flowers.
•
•
'Pink Spire' is a fine green-leaved cultivar
bearing 7-inch long pink flower spikes.
var. rosea produces rose flowers.
Selections for Leaf Color: All have blue to violet
flowers.
• 'Atropurpurea' has dark bronze-purple leaves,
which color best in full sun.
• 'Bronze Beauty' is similar but has metallic
bronze foliage.
• 'Burgundy Glow' has foliage with shades of
white, pink, rose, and green. In the fall the
older leaves turn a deep bronze and the young
leaves have a rosy hue.
• 'Gaiety' has bronze purple leaves and lilac
flowers.
• 'Multicolor' (or 'Rainbow') is similar to, but
more vigorous than 'Burgundy Glow'. The
foliage colors are deeper.
• 'Silver Beauty' has gray-green leaves edged
with white.
Cultivars of Geneva Carpet Bugleweed
•
•
var. brockbankii is a smaller form of the
species with deep blue flowers.
var. rosea has rosy-pink flowers but is
otherwise identical to the species.
Cultivars of Upright Bugleweed
•
'Crispa' has deep blue flowers and brownish
red crinkly leaves with a metallic luster.
•
'Pink Beauty' is 4 to 5 inches tall with light
pink flowers in May and June.
Problems
In the South, several fungi cause crown and root
rots, particularly in carpet bugleweed. Roughly
circular patches of plants die out. Sometimes entire
plantings may die. Planting in well-ventilated areas,
dividing every 2 to 3 years, and application of a
recommended fungicide help control this problem.
Ajuga is susceptible to the root-knot nematode
(Meloidogyne incognita), which mainly occurs from
the Midlands to the Low Country. Infected
plantings will begin to thin out in spots and plants
may die. Roots of infected plants will contain small
knots caused by the feeding of these microscopic
worms.
Image added by Joey Williamson, HGIC Horticulture Extension
Agent, Clemson University, 06/13. Prepared by Marjan Kluepfel,
HGIC Horticulture Specialist, and Bob Polomski, Extension
Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University. (New 12/98.)
This information is supplied with the understanding that no
discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson
University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All
recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not
apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions
on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South
Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status
of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of
state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions,
precautions and restrictions that are listed.
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service, Clemson, South Carolina. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in
Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
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